Don't forget about Aaron Donald when evaluating your DL options for IDP leagues
For those fantasy football leagues that include Individual Defensive Players (IDPs), the position that can sometimes get overlooked is defensive linemen. Known for being pass rushers, the key when it comes to filling out your DL spot is finding a guy that can impact multiple categories or one that can at least get to the quarterback consistently.
Consider that among the top 10 fantasy defensive linemen in 2017, six of them also were among the league leaders in sacks -- Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Chandler Jones (who may have had LB eligibility depending on the league), Joey Bosa, Demarcus Lawrence, and Yannick Ngakoue. That's without mentioning a trio of NFL Defensive Player of the Year honorees -- Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt.
Watt has had trouble staying healthy, but when he's on, he's arguably the No. 1 fantasy option. Mack's numbers dipped last season in comparison to his 2016 All-Pro campaign and then there's Donald, who may actually be underappreciated as a fantasy asset.
Donald may not rack up the tackles like some of his peers but in 14 games last year he collected 11 sacks and forced five fumbles. He could be even more dangerous this season given the veteran star power the Los Angeles Rams added on defense.
So it should come as no surprise that those are the names that dominate the top of this year's DL rankings. Regardless of your preference, if you have championship aspirations in your IDP league, don't underestimate the value of drafting an elite DL
2018 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K
2018 Defensive Linemen (DL) Rankings
| Rk | Player | Team | Bye |
| 1 | Joey Bosa | LAC | 8 |
| 2 | Khalil Mack | OAK | 7 |
| 3 | J.J. Watt | HOU | 10 |
| 4 | Cameron Jordan | NO | 6 |
| 5 | Demarcus Lawrence | DAL | 8 |
| 6 | Chandler Jones | ARI | 9 |
| 7 | Melvin Ingram | LAC | 8 |
| 8 | Calais Campbell | JAC | 9 |
| 9 | Jason Pierre-Paul | TB | 5 |
| 10 | Everson Griffen | MIN | 10 |
| 11 | Aaron Donald | LAR | 12 |
| 12 | Myles Garrett | CLE | 11 |
| 13 | Muhammad Wilkerson | GB | 7 |
| 14 | Brandon Graham | PHI | 9 |
| 15 | DeForest Buckner | SF | 11 |
| 16 | Cameron Heyward | PIT | 7 |
| 17 | Danielle Hunter | MIN | 10 |
| 18 | Trey Flowers | NE | 11 |
| 19 | Akiem Hicks | CHI | 5 |
| 20 | Carlos Dunlap | CIN | 9 |
| 21 | Ziggy Ansah | DET | 6 |
| 22 | Yannick Ngakoue | JAC | 9 |
| 23 | Bruce Irvin | OAK | 7 |
| 24 | Mario Addison | CAR | 4 |
| 25 | Geno Atkins | CIN | 9 |
| 26 | Jurrell Casey | TEN | 8 |
| 27 | Damon Harrison | NYG | 9 |
| 28 | Frank Clark | SEA | 7 |
| 29 | Ndamukong Suh | LAR | 12 |
| 30 | Leonard Williams | NYJ | 11 |
| 31 | Cameron Wake | MIA | 11 |
| 32 | Kawann Short | CAR | 4 |
| 33 | Fletcher Cox | PHI | 7 |
| 34 | Jabaal Sheard | IND | 9 |
| 35 | Derek Barnett | PHI | 7 |
| 36 | Gerald McCoy | TB | 5 |
| 37 | Solomon Thomas | SF | 11 |
| 38 | Linval Joseph | MIN | 10 |
| 39 | Julius Peppers | CAR | 4 |
| 40 | Marcus Davenport | NO | 6 |
| 41 | Michael Bennett | PHI | 7 |
| 42 | Tak McKinley | ATL | 8 |
| 43 | Adrian Clayborn | NE | 11 |
| 44 | Stephon Tuitt | PIT | 7 |
| 45 | Chris Jones | KC | 12 |
And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Athlon Sports’ 2018 Fantasy Football magazine, available for purchase online and at newsstands everywhere.
